The car was traveling northbound on the 110 near Avenue 52 before it struck the tree and fence about 1:35 a.m., said CHP Officer Monica Posada.

Firefighters responding to the crash used hydraulic prying tools to rescue one or more of the victims from the car, which was badly damaged, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

Two of passengers “were beyond help” and pronounced dead at the scene, Humphrey said. They were identified as Blanca Belman Almanza, 23, and Ana Cuadra, 22, both of Los Angeles, according to Lt. Cheryl MacWillie of the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

The other three women, including the driver, were taken to area hospitals, according to the California Highway Patrol.

All northbound lanes on the freeway were closed near the crash site at 1:50 a.m. and reopened by 5:12 a.m., Posada said.